Journalist and television host Piers Morgan has called for people to stop targeting boyband One Direction after two of the lads were recently shown in a video smoking marijuana.

A video was released earlier this week that showed singers Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson puffing on a joint in the back of a minibus while they were in Peru and Morgan has now spoken out in defence of them, telling his Twitter followers that it was just a 'silly mistake' and he thinks they're actually 'good' guys:

"This @onedirection bashing's over-the-top. Two of them made a silly mistake. But from my experience, they're a good bunch of lads."

Rapper Snoop Dogg also offered support to the 'Story Of My Life' heartthrobs and tweeted out a public message that simply read: "Yo @onedirection keep ya heads up."

The boyband, meanwhile, thanked fans for being there for them during times like these while on stage at Sunderland earlier this week and Tomlinson told the audience: "I want to say a massive thank you to fans and you guys for putting us here tonight."

Watch the footage in question below: